The Port Authority admits more fares are going uncollected on its trolley service as of late, especially with increased traffic on the weekends, but said plans are in the works to stop riders from catching a free ride.

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"With more and more traffic at these special events, we can see it emerging as an issue that we should address," spokesman Jim Ritchie said.

With the Port Authority facing a $64 million budget shortfall, critics argue something needs to be done sooner rather than later.

"For an agency that's cash-strapped and in a perennial cycle of shortfalls, you have to make sure you're collecting as much as possible," said the Allegheny Institute's senior policy analyst Eric Montarti.

The Port Authority is considering a system that does away with fare collectors and requires riders to pay up front. It would also rely on random inspections to make sure no one is skipping out.

Other transit agencies have implemented similar strategies, and a study found only about 2 percent of riders cheat the system.

"It's time-tested and proven to be an effective way to do this," said Ritchie.

But some skepticism exists over how effective the honor system would be.

"How often are you going to police it? Who's going to police it? On the days it's not policed, who's to say there's not going to be people not pay their fare and skip out?" asked Montarti.

The Port Authority is studying other cities that use an honor system, trying to figure out which method would be most suitable for Pittsburgh.